"Sometimes, even the smallest distances feel infinite when your heart has found its home in someone else."

Yesterday, Dadi had  reminded Vivaan and Roohi about the Pagphera ritual. It was a tradition filled with warmth and joy, symbolizing the bride's brief return to her maternal home before starting her new life. That morning, Vivaan found himself driving Roohi to her home, his thoughts swirling with a strange mix of emotions he couldn’t quite put into words.

The car moved smoothly along the road, the hum of the engine filling the silence between them. Roohi glanced at Vivaan, trying to read his quiet demeanor. It had only been three days since their marriage, but every moment they spent together felt like discovering uncharted waters.

She adjusted her dupatta and broke the silence. “You’ll be okay without me for a day, right?”

Vivaan’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. He glanced at her, his lips forming a faint smile. “Of course. It’s not like you’re leaving forever.”

Her eyebrows raised, a playful spark in her eyes. “You sound like you can’t wait to get rid of me.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he said quickly, his cheeks faintly coloring. “I just… it’s tradition, right?”

Roohi chuckled softly. “Relax, Vivaan. I’m teasing.”

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’ll probably enjoy being pampered at home. Your family must be excited to see you.”

She sighed, looking out of the window. “I am excited too. But I think I am going to miss you. ”

Vivaan’s hands eased on the wheel as her words lingered in the air. He understood what she meant, even if he couldn’t quite find the words to say it. Finally he said "I guess we are adjusting to each other's presence."

Roohi turned to him, studying his profile. The slight furrow of his brows, the way his jaw tightened when he was deep in thought - she was starting to recognize these little things about him.

He glanced at her, his expression softening. “We’re figuring it out together. And I think that’s what makes it… easier.”

Her heart warmed at his words. They were simple, but they carried a sincerity that struck her deeply. She wasn’t sure when she had started craving his quiet reassurances, but now, they felt like a lifeline.

As they pulled into her family’s driveway, Roohi felt a mix of emotions. Excitement to see her parents, but also an ache at the thought of parting with Vivaan, even if just for a day.

Her parents were already waiting at the door, their faces lighting up as she stepped out of the car.

“Roohi!” Her mother enveloped her in a tight hug, while her father beamed at her. “Beta, it’s so good to see you.”

“And Vivaan beta!” her father said warmly, stepping forward. “Come inside, come inside.”

Vivaan hesitated for a moment, but Roohi’s gentle nudge pushed him forward. Her parents ushered them both into the living room, the familiar warmth of her childhood home wrapping around her like a blanket.

“How are you, beta?” her mother asked Vivaan as they sat down. “I hope she hasn’t been giving you a hard time.”

Vivaan glanced at Roohi, a soft, thoughtful expression in his eyes. “Not at all. Actually… she makes everything feel lighter.”

Roohi’s cheeks turned pink, her heart skipping a beat. His words weren’t exaggerated or dramatic, but they held a depth that made her feel seen in a way she hadn’t experienced before.

Her father laughed. “That’s good to hear. You know, Roohi’s always been a handful. When she was little…”

“Papa, no!” Roohi groaned, but her father continued, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Once she was demanding that I should get her an ice cream.I refused, She climbed the guava tree in our backyard and got stuck halfway. She refused to come down until I promised her ice cream.”

Vivaan’s lips twitched as he imagined a younger Roohi, her stubbornness shining even then.

“And another time,” her father continued, “she tried to bake cookies and ended up spilling an entire sack of flour. The kitchen became an entire mess and from then her mother never allowed her inside the kitchen!”

“Papa, stop embarrassing me,” Roohi said, covering her face with her hands, though her laughter peeked through.

Her mother smiled fondly. “She’s always been full of life. And now, seeing her married… it feels like just yesterday she was running around in pigtails.”

Vivaan listened quietly, his heart warming as he learned more about her. He could picture her as the spirited, lively girl they described, and it only deepened his appreciation for the woman she had become.

When it was time for him to leave, Roohi walked him to the car. She fiddled with her dupatta again, the thought of him driving away making her chest tighten.

As Vivaan opened the car door, Roohi felt a wave of emotions she hadn’t expected. She had watched countless movie scenes where the male lead missed the female lead, their longing painted so vividly ,She used to feel it clichè . And now, she realized, she was living one of those moments. It hadn’t even been a week since they’d started this journey together, but the thought of being apart ,even for a day left her with an ache she couldn’t explain.

“Drive safe,” she said softly, her voice betraying the emotions she felt.

Vivaan nodded, his hand brushing hers as he adjusted the car door. “Take care… and don’t worry about anything. Just enjoy your time here.”

She smiled faintly, though her heart ached. “You too. Don’t forget to eat on time.”

“I won’t,” he promised, his voice just as soft.

As he got into the car and drove away, Roohi stood at the gate, watching until he disappeared around the corner. The distance between them felt far greater than the few kilometers separating their homes.

Inside, her parents were already preparing to pamper her, but a part of her heart stayed with Vivaan, counting down the hours until she could see him again.

______________________________________

The evening sun bathed Roohi’s childhood home in a golden glow, but her heart wasn’t entirely present. Despite the warm chatter of her parents and the familiar coziness of the surroundings, her thoughts kept wandering to Vivaan.

After dinner, Roohi excused herself and went to her old room. The space felt the same yet different, as if it belonged to a version of her she had outgrown. She sat on her bed, running her fingers over the edge of her pillow, her mind replaying the soft look in Vivaan’s eyes before he had driven away.

Just as she was lost in thought, her phone buzzed on the bedside table. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Vivaan’s name on the screen. She quickly picked up, trying to sound casual. “Hello?”

There was a pause, and then his voice came through, low and steady. “Hi… I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Her lips curved into a small smile. “Not at all. How was your evening?”

“It was… quiet,” he admitted. “The house feels different without you.”

Her heart fluttered at his honesty, his words carrying a weight that made her feel warm and seen. “It’s only been a few hours,” she teased, though her voice was soft. “You’re making it sound like I’ve been gone for days.”

He chuckled lightly, the sound making her grip the phone tighter. “Maybe it feels like that,” he said, surprising even himself with the admission.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable - it was filled with an understanding that didn’t need words.

“They would be happy to have you there” Vivaan asked, breaking the silence.

“They’re happy to have me here,” Roohi said, leaning back against the headboard. “Papa’s already started telling embarrassing childhood stories. I’m pretty sure he’s got a whole collection lined up for tomorrow.”

“I’d like to hear those someday,” he said, his voice carrying a smile.

“Really?” she asked, raising an eyebrow even though he couldn’t see her.

“Yes,” he replied simply. “It feels… nice to know more about you. The little things that make you who you are.”

Her cheeks warmed at his sincerity. “You’re full of surprises, Vivaan,” she said softly.

There was another pause, and then he asked, “Are you okay there?”

She knew what he meant. It wasn’t about her family or the house - it was about the distance. “I’m okay,” she said honestly. “But… it feels strange. I didn’t think I’d miss you this much.”

His breath hitched slightly, and she could almost picture him rubbing the back of his neck, his introverted nature making it hard for him to respond. “I… feel the same,” he finally said. “It’s strange, isn’t it? We’ve only just started…”

“Yeah,” she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. “But it already feels like you’re a part of me.”

The vulnerability in her words took him by surprise, but instead of retreating, he embraced it. “And you, a part of me,” he replied, his voice steady and sure.

They talked a little longer, their conversation weaving between light banter and quiet admissions. When they finally said goodnight, Roohi lay back on her bed, her heart lighter than it had been all day.

Vivaan, on the other hand, sat by the window in their home, the phone still in his hand. For the first time since Roohi left, the emptiness in the house didn’t feel quite as overwhelming.

Both of them drifted to sleep that night with the same thought: even in the distance, they were still connected, bound by a growing bond that neither of them could deny.

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